School friends take a walk back in time
A RECENT sentimental journey to a property 28 km west of Inglewood saw three former school friends, all now 80 years old, sharing a day full of wonderful memories of the time they lived on the property when they were children.
The highlight of the visit was a nostalgic walk over a section of bush track known as “the short sandy track”.
During their school days as pupils attending the nearby one-teacher Ben Dor Provisional School, a friendship was formed between Rosemary Lehmann-Moore (nee Stower) and Sally Ferris (nee Bosnjak) both now living in Brisbane, and Joe Grasso who now lives on Coochiemudlo Island.
The bond forged 66 years ago between these three children is as strong as ever with the trio never losing touch over the years.
In 1955, Rosemary, Sally and Joe lived on the property then known as “Brooklyn” (or Bosnjak’s farm) where their parents were growing tobacco.
The property was owned by Sally’s father Nick Bosnjak and was a hive of industry.
There were six interconnecting farms with dozens of
farm workers and their families living on site.
At one stage it was reputed to be the largest singly-owned tobacco plantation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Each school day, children from the property traversed a rough, dusty bush track to attend the one-teacher Ben Dor Provisional School.
The bright spot along the
way was a short stretch of clean, white sand edged with pine trees and known to all as “the short sandy track”.
It was here that the three friends had their reunion and made their nostalgic walk.
All three declared the day had not only been perfect in every way but a long held wish, to return together for a visit, had at last been fulfilled.